Gemstone constructions particularly useful for diamonds

ABSTRACT

A gemstone construction, comprising a plurality of individual gemstones assembled together by a common frame to define a composite gemstone unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle, each of the individual gemstones defining a segment of the composite gemstone unit, and including a girdle segment of the composite gemstone unit girdle, a crown segment of the composite gemstone unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the composite gemstone unit pavilion, the girdle and crown segments of at least some of the individual gemstones having an outer face to serve as the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, the girdle segment of at least some of the individual gemstones having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit, the common frame engaging the girdle segments of the individual gemstones to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual gemstones into firm contact with each other such that the composite gemstone unit appears substantially seamless to the naked eye.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gemstone constructions. The inventionis particularly useful with respect to diamonds, and is thereforedescribed below with respect to diamonds, but it will be appreciatedthat the invention could also advantageously be used with othergemstones, such as emeralds, rubies, etc.

The value of a gemstone, and particularly of a diamond, increasesdisproportionately with its size and weight. For example, the value of adiamond of a particular size and weight is considerably more than fourtimes the value of a diamond one-fourth of the respective size andweight. Many “invisible setting” constructions have been devised formounting a plurality of individual diamonds in a manner to create theimpression that they constitute a single diamond, but such “invisiblesetting” constructions are not only expensive to implement since theyrequire mounting each diamond individually, but they also have varyingdegrees of success with respect to their “invisibility”.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone constructioncomprising a plurality of individual gemstones assembled together by acommon frame to define a composite gemstone unit which, to the nakedeye, creates the impression of a single gemstone and which can bemounted as a single gemstone. Another object is to provide such agemstone construction particularly advantageous for diamonds.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provideda gemstone construction, comprising: a plurality of individual gemstonesassembled together by a common frame to define a composite gemstone unithaving a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion onthe opposite side of the girdle; each of the individual gemstonesdefining a segment of the composite gemstone unit, and including agirdle segment of the composite gemstone unit girdle, a crown segment ofthe composite gemstone unit crown, and a pavilion segment of thecomposite gemstone unit pavilion; the girdle and crown segments of atleast some of the individual gemstones having an outer face to serve asthe outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown; thegirdle segment of at least some of the individual gemstones having atleast one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat,smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of another individual gemstonein the composite gemstone unit; the common frame engaging the girdlesegments of the individual gemstones to press the flat, smooth, innerfaces of the individual gemstones into firm contact with each other suchthat the composite gemstone unit appears substantially seamless to thenaked eye.

According to further features in the described preferred embodiments,the pavilion segment of each of the individual gemstones includes apavilion formed with a culet at its outer tip. The crown of thecomposite gemstone unit includes a flat table; and the crown segment ofeach of the individual gemstones is formed with a flat outer surfacedefining the respective portion of the flat table of the compositegemstone unit, and with at least one flat, smooth inner face in contactwith a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the crown segment ofanother individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit.

In some described preferred embodiments, the common frame engages thecomplete outer faces of the girdle segments of the individual gemstones.In other described embodiments, the common frame engages only a portionof the outer faces of the girdle segments of the individual gemstones.In all the described embodiments, each of the individual gemstones is ofgenerally triangular configuration.

In one described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unit has agirdle of square configuration and is constituted of four individualgemstones arranged in a square array; and the girdle and crown segmentsof each of the four individual gemstones have outer faces definingtogether the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown,and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with a correspondingflat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstone on each of itsopposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.

In a second described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unithas a girdle of triangular configuration and is constituted of fourindividual gemstones arranged in a triangular array of one individualgemstone enclosed by three individual gemstones; the girdle and crownsegments of each of the three individual gemstones have outer facesdefining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdleand crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face; and the girdle and crownsegments of the one individual gemstone have three flat, smooth, faceseach in contact with one of the flat, smooth, inner faces of the threeindividual gemstones.

In a third described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unithas a girdle of rhombic configuration and is constituted of twoindividual gemstones; and the girdle and crown segments of each of thetwo individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outerface of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and a flat,smooth, inner face in contact with each other.

In a fourth described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unithas a girdle of trapezoidal configuration and is constituted of threeindividual gemstones arranged in a linear array, constituted of firstand second individual gemstones in an erect position on opposite sidesof a third individual gemstone in an inverted position; the girdle andcrown segments of each of the first and second individual gemstones havetwo outer faces and one flat, smooth, inner face, and the girdle andcrown segments of the third individual gemstone have one outer face andtwo flat, smooth, inner faces; the outer faces of the girdle and crownsegments of the three individual gemstones together constitute the outerface of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown; and the two flat,smooth, inner faces of the third individual gemstone are in contact withthe flat, smooth, inner faces of the first and second individualgemstones.

In a fifth described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unithas a girdle of hexagonal configuration and is constituted of sixindividual gemstones arranged in a hexagonal array; and the girdle andcrown segments of each of the six individual gemstones have outer facesdefining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdleand crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with acorresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstone on itsopposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.

As indicated earlier, the invention is particularly useful with respectto diamonds, in which case the plurality of individual gemstones wouldbe diamonds and would be assembled together by the common frame todefine a composite diamond unit.

As will be described below, the composite diamond (or other gemstone)unit constructed from a plurality of individual diamonds (or othergemstones) in accordance with the foregoing features of the inventionpresents the appearance, at least to the naked eye, of a single diamondunit, thereby enhancing considerably its value. The composite diamondunit can also be handled as a single unit, e.g., for mounting purposes,thereby greatly facilitating and simplifying the mounting and otherhandling.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating four individual gemstones,namely diamonds, to be assembled together by a common frame to define acomposite diamond unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the composite diamond unit whenassembled into a square array with the four individual diamonds of FIG.1 in a common frame;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating the composite diamondunit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the composite diamond unit of FIGS.2 and 3 but without the common frame;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating one of the individual diamonds ofFIG. 1 used for assembling the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 2-4, butwithout the common frame, produced by assembling the four individualdiamonds illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematical top plan view illustrating another compositediamond unit assembled into a triangular array in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view from the bottom of the composite diamondunit of FIG. 7, without the common frame;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating the four individual diamondsused assembling the composite diamond unit of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view from the top of the composite diamond unitof FIG. 7 without the common frame;

FIG. 11 is a schematical top plan view illustrating another compositediamond unit, of rhombic configuration, constructed of two individualdiamond units in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the composite diamond unit of FIG. 11from the bottom;

FIG. 13 illustrates the two diamond units used in assembling the rhombicarray of FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the composite diamond unit of FIGS.11-13 from the top;

FIG. 15 is a schematical top plan view of a composite diamond unit oftrapezoidal configuration, constructed of three diamond units, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematical isometric view from the top of the compositediamond unit of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates the three individual diamonds used in assembling thecomposite diamond unit of FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view from the top of the composite diamond unitof FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 19 is a schematical top plan view illustrating another compositediamond unit, of hexagonal configuration, constructed with sixindividual diamonds in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematical isometric view, from the top, of the compositediamond unit of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view, from the top, of the composite diamondunit of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 22 illustrates the six individual diamonds used in assembling thecomposite diamond unit of FIGS. 19-21.

It is to be understood that the foregoing drawings, and the descriptionbelow, are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understandingthe conceptual aspects of the invention and possible embodimentsthereof, including what are presently considered to be preferredembodiments. In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is madeto provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art,using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the describedinvention. It is to be further understood that the embodiments describedare for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable ofbeing embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As indicated earlier, the invention is particularly useful, and istherefore described below, for producing a composite gemstone unit froma plurality of smaller individual gemstones assembled together by acommon frame. The invention is described below, for purposes of exampleonly, with respect to a number of preferred embodiments utilizingdiamonds. In each such embodiment, a plurality of individual diamondsare assembled together by a common frame to define a composite diamondunit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilionon the opposite side of the girdle. Each of the individual diamondsdefines a segment of the composite gemstone unit, and includes a girdlesegment of the composite diamond unit girdle, a crown segment of thecomposite diamond unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the compositediamond unit pavilion. The girdle crown segments of at least some of theindividual diamonds have an outer face to serve as the outer face of thecomposite diamond unit girdle and crown. The girdle segment of at leastsome of the individual diamonds have at least one flat, smooth, innerface in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of anotherindividual diamond in the composite diamond unit. The common frameengages the girdle segments of the individual diamonds to press theflat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds into firm contactwith each other such that the composite diamond unit appearssubstantially seamless to the naked eye.

For purposes of example, the invention is described below with respectto a number of embodiments in each of which each individual diamond isof triangular configuration. The described preferred embodiments includeembodiments wherein the composite diamond unit is: (1) of squareconfiguration and is constituted of four individual diamonds (FIGS.1-6); (2) of triangular configuration and is constituted of fourindividual diamonds (FIGS. 7-10); (3) of rhombic configuration andconstituted of two diamonds (FIGS. 11-14); (4) of trapezoidalconfiguration and is constituted of three diamonds (FIGS. 15-18); and(5) of hexagonal configuration and is constituted of six diamonds (FIGS.19-22).

The Embodiment of FIGS. 1-6

As indicated earlier, the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 illustrates acomposite diamond unit, best illustrated in FIG. 3 and therein generallydesignated 100, constituted of four individual diamonds (best seen inFIG. 1) assembled together by a common frame 101, such that thecomposite diamond unit 100 has a girdle 102; a crown 103 on one side ofthe girdle which is faceted as shown at 104 and is formed with a flattable 105; and a pavilion 106 at the opposite side of the girdle.Pavilion 106 illustrated in FIG. 3 is actually constituted of fourpavilion segments 106 a-106 d, one for each of the individual diamondsidentified as 110-140 in FIG. 1, with each pavilion segment facetted asshown at 107 a-107 d and terminating in a culet 108 a-108 d, as will bedescribed more particularly below.

FIG. 1 more particularly illustrates each of the individual diamonds110-140, assembled together by common frame 101 to define the compositediamond unit 100 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 1, each diamond unitincludes a girdle segment 111-141, respectively, of the compositediamond unit 100; a crown segment 112-142, respectively, (FIG. 2) of thecomposite diamond unit 100; and the above-described pavilion segment 106a-106 d. The crown segments 112-142 of the individual diamonds may befaceted. Each crown segment is formed with a flat upper surface 113-143serving as the table segment of the composite diamond unit table 105 ofFIG. 3.

As indicated earlier, each individual diamond 110-140 is of triangularconfiguration, each including three sides 114-116, 124-126, 134-136 and144-146, respectively. The outer sides 114, 124, 134 and 144 togetherserve as the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown.The two inner sides 115, 116, 125, 135, 136 and 145, 146, respectively,are flat and smooth, and serve as inner faces in contact with each otherin the composite diamond unit 100, as shown particularly in FIG. 2.

As further shown in FIG. 1, each of the pavilion segments 106 a-106 d ofthe respective individual diamonds 110-140 is faceted on its innersurface 107 a-107 d, and terminates in its respective culet 107 a-107 dsubstantially centrally of this respective pavilion segment.

As further seen in FIGS. 3-4, the common frame 101 engages the outerfaces 114, 124, 134, 144 of all the girdle segments 111, 121, 131, 141,to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds 110,120, 130, 140 into firm contact with each other such that the compositediamond unit 100 appears substantially seamless to the naked eye. Thecommon frame is preferably made of gold, but may be made of othersuitable materials, such as platinum.

It will thus be seen that the composite diamond unit 100 illustrated inFIGS. 1-6 presents the appearance, at least to the naked eye, of being asingle large diamond, rather than as a plurality of individual smallerdiamonds. The composite diamond unit would therefore have substantiallygreater value than the four individual diamonds of which it is made. Itwill also be seen that the composite diamond unit 100 can be handled andmounted as a single unit, thereby substantially reducing the handlingand mounting costs as compared to handling and mounting the fourindividual diamonds 110, 120, 130, 140 of the composite diamond unit100.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 7-10

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a composite diamond unit, therein generallydesignated 200, also constituted of three individual diamonds 210, 220,230 and 240, each of a triangular configuration. In this case, however,the four individual diamonds are arrayed in a triangular configurationin which three individual diamonds 210, 220 and 230 enclose the fourthindividual diamond 240.

As seen particularly in FIG. 10, two of the outer sides, e.g., 214, 215,224, 225 and 234, 235 of the three individual diamonds 210, 220, 230have outer faces defining the outer face of the girdle and crown of thecomposite diamond unit 200, whereas the remaining side, 216, 226, and236, respectively, has a flat, smooth, inner face each in contact with aflat, smooth, inner face 246 a, 246 b, 246 c of the fourth individualdiamond 240.

As further seen in FIG. 7, the common frame 201 (FIG. 7), which pressthe flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds into firmengagement with each other so as to produce a substantially seamlessappearance to the naked eye, engages only the corners of the girdlesegments of the individual diamonds, rather than the complete outerfaces of the girdle segments as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.

In substantially all other respects, the composite diamond unit 200illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 is constructed in substantially the samemanner as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6, and providessubstantially the same advantages of that embodiment.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 11-14

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate the invention embodiment in a composite diamondunit 300 having a girdle of a rhombic configuration, consisting of twodiamond units 310, 340 facing each other at their common bases. Thus,the composite diamond unit 300 illustrate in FIGS. 11-14 is similar tocomposite diamond unit 200 illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, except that thetwo individual diamonds 220, 230 in the composite diamond unit 200 havebeen omitted.

Thus, the girdle and crown segments of the two outer sides 314, 315 ofdiamond 310, and the girdle and crown segments of the two outer sides344, 345 of diamond 340, have outer faces which together serve as theouter face of the girdle and crown segments of the composite diamondunit 300; whereas the girdle and diamond segments of the third side ofthe two individual diamonds have flat, smooth, faces 316, 346 which arepressed into firm contact with each other so as to present asubstantially seamless appearance to the naked eye. In this embodiment,the common frame 301 (FIG. 11), which presses the flat, smooth, faces316, 346 of the girdle and crown segments into firm contact with eachother engage, only the corners of the two triangular individualdiamonds.

In substantially all other respects, the composite diamond unit 300illustrated in FIGS. 11-16 is constructed, and provides the sameadvantages, as in the above-described embodiments.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 15-18

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate a composite diamond unit, generally designated400, having a girdle of trapezoidal configuration, constituted of threeindividual diamonds 410, 420, 430, arranged in a line, wherein the twoend individual diamonds 410, 430 are in an upright position, whereas themiddle individual diamond 420 is in an inverted position. In this case,the girdle and crowned segments of the two end individual diamonds410,430, include outer faces 414, 415 and 434, 435, respectively,serving as the outer face of the girdle and crown of the compositediamond unit 400, and a single inner face 416, 436, respectively, whichis flat and smooth. On the other hand, the girdle and crowned segmentsof the middle individual diamond 420 includes but one outer face 424which serves as the respective portion of the outer face of the girdleand crown of the composite diamond unit 400, and two inner faces 425,426, which are flat and smooth and are brought into contact with theinner faces 416, 436, of the two end individual diamonds 410, 430. Alsoin this embodiment, the common frame 401 (FIG. 15), which presses theflat, smooth, inner faces of the three individual diamonds 410, 420,430, into firm contact with each other, is applied only to the cornersof the girdle segments of the three triangular individual diamonds.

In all other respects, the composite diamond unit 400 illustrated inFIGS. 15-18 is of substantially the same construction, and providessubstantially the same advantages, as in the above-describedembodiments.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 19-22

The composite diamond unit illustrated in FIGS. 19-22, and thereingenerally designated 500, includes a girdle and crown of hexagonalconfiguration, and is constituted of six individual diamonds 510-560,each of a triangular configuration. This embodiment is thus similar tothat of FIGS. 1-6, except that the girdle is hexagonal rather thansquare. The angles of the triangles also, of course, would be changedaccordingly; that is, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the angle at theapex would be 90° and those at the base would be 45°, whereas in theembodiment of FIGS. 19-22, the angles at the apex, as well as the base,would be 60°.

As in FIG. 1-6, the outer faces 514, 524, 534, 544, 554 and 564,respectively, serve together as the outer face of the girdle and crownof the composite diamond unit 500; whereas the two inner faces of eachof the six individual diamonds are flat and smooth and are brought intofirm contact with each other by the common frame 501. As shown in FIG.19, the common frame 501 engages only the corners of the girdle segmentsof the six individual diamonds.

In all other respects, the construction and advantages of the compositediamond 500 illustrated in FIGS. 19-22 are substantially the same asdescribed above, particularly with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

While the invention has been described above with respect to producing acomposite diamond unit from a plurality of smaller individual diamonds,it will be appreciated that the invention could also be applied toproduce other composite gemstones, such as emeralds or rubies. It willalso be appreciated that while the invention has been described withrespect to several preferred embodiments, such described embodiments arepresented purely for illustrative purposes, and that many othervariations and applications of the invention may be made.

1. A gemstone construction, comprising: a plurality of individualgemstones assembled together by a common frame to define a compositegemstone unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and apavilion on the opposite side of the girdle; each of said individualgemstones defining a segment of said composite gemstone unit, andincluding a girdle segment of the composite gemstone unit girdle, acrown segment of the composite gemstone unit crown, and a pavilionsegment of the composite gemstone unit pavilion; the girdle and crownsegments of at least some of said individual gemstones having an outerface to serve as the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdleand crown; the girdle segment of at least some of said individualgemstones having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with acorresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of anotherindividual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit; said common frameengaging the girdle segments of said individual gemstones to press theflat, smooth, inner faces of the individual gemstones into firm contactwith each other such that the composite gemstone unit appearssubstantially seamless to the naked eye.
 2. The gemstone constructionaccording to claim 1, wherein the pavilion segment of each of saidindividual gemstones includes a pavilion formed with a culet at itsouter tip.
 3. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein:said crown of the composite gemstone unit includes a flat table; and thecrown segment of each of said individual gemstones is formed with a flatouter surface defining the respective portion of the flat table of thecomposite gemstone unit, and with at least one flat, smooth inner facein contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the crownsegment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit.4. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein said commonframe engages the complete outer faces of the girdle segments of saidindividual gemstones.
 5. The gemstone construction according to claim 1,wherein said common frame engages only a portion of the outer faces ofthe girdle segments of said individual gemstones.
 6. The gemstoneconstruction according to claim 1, wherein each of said individualgemstones is of generally triangular configuration.
 7. The gemstoneconstruction according to claim 6, wherein: said composite gemstone unithas a girdle of square configuration and is constituted of fourindividual gemstones arranged in a square array; and the girdle andcrown segments of each of said four individual gemstones have outerfaces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unitgirdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact witha corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstone oneach of its opposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.
 8. Thegemstone construction according to claim 6, wherein: said compositegemstone unit has a girdle of triangular configuration and isconstituted of four individual gemstones arranged in a triangular arrayof one individual gemstone enclosed by three individual gemstones; thegirdle and crown segments of each of said three individual gemstoneshave outer faces defining together the outer face of the compositegemstone unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face; and thegirdle and crown segments of said one individual gemstone have threefiat, smooth, faces each in contact with one of the flat, smooth, innerfaces of said three individual gemstones.
 9. The gemstone constructionaccording to claim 6, wherein: said composite gemstone unit has a girdleof rhombic configuration and is constituted of two individual gemstones;and the girdle and crown segments of each of said two individualgemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of thecomposite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner facein contact with each other.
 10. The gemstone construction according toclaim 6, wherein: said composite gemstone unit has a girdle oftrapezoidal configuration and is constituted of three individualgemstones arranged in a linear array of two outer individual gemstonesin erect positions on opposite sides of an inner individual gemstone inan inverted position; the girdle and crown segments of each of saidfirst and second individual gemstones have two outer faces and one flat,smooth, inner face, and the girdle and crown segments of said thirdindividual gemstone have one outer face and two flat, smooth, innerfaces; said outer faces of the girdle and crown segments of the threeindividual gemstones together constitute the outer face of the compositegemstone unit girdle and crown; and said two flat, smooth, inner facesof the third individual gemstone are in contact with said flat, smooth,inner faces of the first and second individual gemstones.
 11. Thegemstone construction according to claim 6, wherein: said compositegemstone unit has a girdle of hexagonal configuration and is constitutedof six individual gemstones arranged in a hexagonal array; and thegirdle and crown segments of each of said six individual gemstones haveouter faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstoneunit girdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contactwith a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstoneon its opposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.
 12. The gemstoneconstruction according to claim 1, wherein each of said individualgemstones is a diamond to define, when assembled by said common frame, acomposite diamond unit.
 13. A diamond construction, comprising: aplurality of individual diamonds assembled together by a common frame todefine a composite diamond unit having a girdle, a crown on one side ofthe girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle; each ofsaid individual diamonds defining a segment of said composite diamondunit, and including a girdle segment of the composite diamond unitgirdle, a crown segment of the composite diamond unit crown, and apavilion segment of the composite diamond unit pavilion; the girdle andcrown segments of at least some of said individual diamonds having anouter face to serve as the outer face of the composite diamond unitgirdle and crown; the girdle segment of at least some of said individualdiamonds having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with acorresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of anotherindividual diamond in the composite diamond unit; said common frameengaging the girdle segments of said individual diamonds to press theflat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds into firm contactwith each other such that the composite diamond unit appearssubstantially seamless to the naked eye.
 14. The diamond constructionaccording to claim 13, wherein the pavilion segment of each of saidindividual diamonds includes a pavilion formed with a culet at its outertip.
 15. The diamond construction according to claim 13, wherein: saidcrown of the composite diamond unit includes a flat table; and the crownsegment of each of said individual diamonds is formed with a flat outersurface defining the respective portion of the flat table of thecomposite diamond unit, and with at least one flat, smooth inner face incontact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the crownsegment of another individual diamond in the composite diamond unit. 16.The diamond construction according to claim 13, wherein said commonframe engages the complete outer faces of girdle segments of saidindividual diamonds.
 17. The diamond construction according to claim 13,wherein said common frame engages only a portion of outer faces of thegirdle segments of said individual diamonds.
 18. The diamondconstruction according to claim 13, wherein each of said individualdiamonds is of generally triangular configuration.
 19. The diamondconstruction according to claim 18, wherein: said composite diamond unithas a girdle of square configuration and is constituted of fourindividual diamonds arranged in a square array; and the girdle and crownsegments of each of said four individual diamonds have outer facesdefining together the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdleand crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with acorresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual diamond on eachof its opposite sides in the composite diamond unit.
 20. The diamondconstruction according to claim 18, wherein: said composite diamond unithas a girdle of triangular configuration and is constituted of fourindividual diamonds arranged in a triangular array, constituted of oneindividual diamond enclosed by three individual diamonds; the girdle andcrown segments of each of said three individual diamonds have outerfaces defining together the outer face of the composite diamond unitgirdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face; and the girdle andcrown segments of said one individual diamond have three flat, smooth,faces each in contact with one of the flat, smooth, inner faces of saidthree individual diamonds.
 21. The diamond construction according toclaim 18, wherein: said composite diamond unit has a girdle of rhombicconfiguration and is constituted of two individual diamonds; and thegirdle and crown segments of each of said two individual diamonds haveouter faces defining together the outer face of the composite diamondunit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face in contact witheach other.
 22. The diamond construction according to claim 18, wherein:said composite diamond unit has a girdle of trapezoidal configurationand is constituted of three individual diamonds arranged in a lineararray, constituted of first and second individual diamonds in an erectposition on opposite sides of a third individual diamond in an invertedposition; the girdle and crown segments of each of said first and secondindividual diamonds have two outer faces and one flat, smooth, innerface, and the girdle and crown segments of said third individual diamondhave one outer face and two flat, smooth, inner faces; said outer facesof the girdle and crown segments of the three individual diamondstogether constitute the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdleand crown; and said two flat, smooth, inner faces of the thirdindividual diamond are in contact with said flat, smooth, inner faces ofthe first and second individual diamonds.
 23. The diamond constructionaccording to claim 18, wherein: said composite diamond unit has a girdleof hexagonal configuration and is constituted of six individual diamondsarranged in a hexagonal array; and the girdle and crown segments of eachof said six individual diamonds have outer faces defining together theouter face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown, and two flat,smooth, inner faces each in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth,inner face of the individual diamond on its opposite sides in thecomposite diamond unit.